Vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

An upright vacuum cleaner comprising floor engaging, suction nozzle means, elongated body means having a handle at the upper end and means pivotally interconnecting the lower end of said body means and said nozzle means. An electric motor driven air impeller and dust collection chamber are provided in the body means, and an electric circuit means, including a switch means, is provided for supplying electrical power to energize the motor. The switch means includes an operator actuated between on and off positions in response to the relative angular positions between the suction nozzle means on the floor and the body means, so that the motor is deenergized whenever the handle is raised to an upright, self-supporting position, and if the handle is pivoted downwardly the switch is closed to energize the motor.

[ 51 Feb. 13, 1973 United States Patent [191 Nickelson Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Attorney-George R. Clark VACUUM CLEANER [75] Inventor: Robert W. Nickelson, Elk Grove Village, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

necting the lower end of said body means and said nozzle means. An electric motor driven air impeller and dust collection chamber are provided in the body means, and an electric circuit means, including a switch means, is provided for supplying electrical power to energize the motor. The switch means in- B we m u e 9 m m 1 u n 0 m 5 a m m w" v a n n m e m m m d M h. 5 L6 .1 i F A U IF 1] .l] 2 I1 2 18 2 2 5 55 [.l. .l [.l

[ References Cited cludes an operator actuated between on andoff positions in response to the relative angular positions between the suction nozzle means on the floor and the UNITED STATES PATENTS 15/332 body means, so that the motor is deenergized when- /4lO X ever the handle is raised to an upright, self-supporting -15/410 X position, and if the handle is pivoted downwardly the switch is closed to energize the motor.

2,148,656 2/1939. Smellie................................... 3,031,710 5/l962 Huening, Jr. 3,273,194 9/1966 Jepson et al 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 13 I975 3.715.775 SHEET 2 or 3 VACUUM CLEANER The present invention relates to an upright type vacuum cleaner and is an improvement on the vacuum cleaner shown and described in US. Pat. No. 3,273,194 assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new, improved, compact, lightweight, and powerful upright type vacuum cleaner.

Another object is to provide a vacuum cleaner of the character described which is simple in construction, relatively low in cost, and lends itself readily to manufacturing on a mass production basis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved upright type vacuum cleaner of the character described which is easily serviceable to remove the dirt and material collected thereby, and which is automatically energized for operation whenever the handle of the upright body portion is pivoted downwardly a selected degree from an upright position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved upright type vacuum cleaner of the character described in which the motor is automatically deenergized whenever the handle is pivoted upwardly into an upstanding, self-supporting, upright position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved upright type vacuum cleaner including means for supporting and maintaining the body portion and handle in an upright self-supporting position.

Briefly, the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished in an illustrated embodiment thereof comprising an upright type vacuum cleaner including floor engaging, suction nozzle means, an elongated body means having a handle on the upper end and means pivotally interconnecting the lower end of the body means with said suction nozzle means. An electric motor driven, air impeller and dust collection chamber is provided in the body means and an electric circuit means, including switch means is provided for supplying electric power to energize the motor. The switch means includes an operator which is actuated between off and on positions in response to relative pivotal movement between said floor supported suction nozzle means and the body means of the vacuum cleaner. The body means is self-supporting in a standing or upright position, and when in this position the switch means is off. When the handle is pivoted downwardly away from the upright position to an operational position for using the vacuum cleaner, the operation of the switch means is automatically actuated to the on position for energizing the motor. After usage, the handle is pivoted upwardly into the upright storage position automatically actuating the switch operator to the off" position and shutting off the electric drive motor so that the cleaner can then be put away in storage in a convenient, selfsupporting, upright position. The handle is maintained in the upright or storage position relative to the suction nozzle means by a pair of engaging stop surfaces in one direction and a resilient latch system in the opposite direction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the new and improved upright vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention and shown in an operational position ready for usage;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner showing the vacuum cleaner in a self-supporting upright position for storage;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the vacuum cleaner taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the vacuum cleaner taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the vacuum cleaner with the body portion in a flat or generally horizontal position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 6--6 of FIG. 2 with a phantom view illustrating the vacuum cleaner in an upright storage position; and I FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a pair of typical electrical circuit means for the vacuum cleaner of the present invention.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, therein is shown a new and improved upright-type vacuum I cleaner constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention and referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. The vacuum cleaner 10 includes a suction nozzle structure 11 at the lower end adapted to move along the floor or other surface for cleaning and picking up dirt, dust, and other material and an upright body portion 12 having a handle 13 on the upper end thereof. The suction nozzle 11 and the main body portion 12 of the vacuum cleaner are pivotally interconnected about an axis A-A for movement between an upright position (FIG. 2) convenientfor storage of the vacuum cleaner when not in use and a normal operational position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the body 12 is pivoted downwardly from the upright or storage position to an operational position, ready for use.

Referring to FIG. 5, the suction nozzle structure 11 is generally T-shaped in plan view and is fabricated in two parts comprising a T-shaped upper half 14 and a similarly shaped lower half 16, both halves being joined together around a peripheral edge portion by a rubber bumper strip 18 which prevents damage to furniture legs, etc., from the nozzle structure.

As best indicated in FIG. 5, the nozzle structure 11 is T-shaped in plan view and includes an elongated forward nozzle section 20 having a slot on the underside thereof for the pick up of dirt, dust and other material from a floor, rug or carpet surface. The material picked up is passed rearwardly, entrained in a flow of air through a throat section 22 for eventual collection in a replaceable paper filter bag contained within the upright body section 12. The throat portion 22 of the nozzle structure 11 includes a substantially rectangular cross-sectional internal suction passageway 24 which terminates in a rearwardly facing socket portion formed by arcuately curved, upper and lower wall sections 26 and 28, respectively (FIG. 4), having concave inside surfaces conforming to segments of a cylinder generated with respect to a horizontal pivot axis A-A (FIGS. 1 and 2) between the suction nozzle structure 11 and the body section 12. The socket portion includes a pair of inside opposite vertical sidewalls 30 (FIG. and a pair of short stub axles 32 project inwardly thereof to pivotally interconnect the nozzle structure 11 with the lower end of the body 12. As shown in FIG. 6, S-springs 34 are mounted in annular grooves provided in the axles 32, and the free upper end of each S-spring is projected into a latching lug member 36 which is movable radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to the horizontal'center axis -A-'A. Each lug is positioned in a slot 37 formed in an outboard portion of the upper wall section 26 of the nozzle structure 11, as best shown in FIG. 6. The latching lugs 36 have pointed upper ends for engagement with the body section 12, and the S-springs 34 bias the lugs 36 outwardly in the slots 37. For greater details of the forward end portion of the nozzle structure 11 and for details on the arrangement of a brush structure 38, reference should be had to the aforementioned patent which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the inner sidewalls 30, the throat section 22 of the nozzle structure 11 also includes a pair of outer sidewalls 33 on which are mounted a pair of outwardly extending wheel axles 39 for supporting a pair of floor rollers or wheels 40. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, a curved upper wall section 42 is provided to integrally join the inside wall 30 and the outside wall 33 at the rearward end of the nozzle structure. As shown in FIG. 6, the wall 33 is notched out, as at 43, in order to accommodate a projecting lower end portion 120 on the body 12.

In accordance with the present invention, a switch actuating cam or lug 44 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the wall section 26 on the throat portion 22 of the floor suction nozzle for activating an on/off switch 46 mounted adjacent the lower end of the vacuum cleaner body 12. As best shown in FIG. 3, the body 12 of the vacuum cleaner includes a dust collection chamber 48 in the upper end portion of a housing in which is contained a removable and replaceable dust collection bag 50. The bag 50 includes a mouth at one end which is adapted to fit onto the upper end of a discharge nozzle 54 of an air impeller housing 56 mounted in the body 12. A rubber seal ring 52 is provided to seal the bag on the nozzle outlet. A motor housing chamber 58 is provided in the lower end portion of the body adjacent the lower end of the dust collection chamber 48 and above the impeller housing 56. The body 12 of the vacuum cleaner is formed by an elongated housing 60 comprising an upper half 62 of integrally molded plastic material including a top or front wall 64, a pair of longitudinal sidewalls 66, a forward end wall portion 68, and an upper end wall 70 having a cylindrical handle receiving socket section 72. The forward end wall is provided with a transparent portion 74 for the passage of light therethrough, and below the segment 74 is formed an air passage of grillwork 76 for permitting the exhaust of air from the housing 60. The body housing includes a removable rear or bottom section 78 which is detachable from the upper or top half section 62 so that the collection bags 50 may be removed and replaced from time to time as desired. The removable lower half section 78 includes a cord retaining finger 80 at the upper end and a similar cord retaining finger 82 at the lower end. The cleaner includes a line cord 84 which may be conveniently wound around these fingers when the vacuum cleaner is not in use, as shown in FIG. 2.

The vacuum cleaner housing 60 includes a fixed lower wall section 86 adjacent the underside of the lower end which forms the wall of the impeller chamber 56. The impeller housing is in communication at its lower end with the nozzle structure 11 and at the upper end is in communication with the collection bag 50 through the discharge nozzle 54. The impeller chamber 56 and the motor chamber 58 are separated by an intermediate wall 88 having a cylindrical recess 90 therein in order to receive a bearing 92 for accommodating and supporting a motor and impeller shaft 94. A motor 96 is mounted in the motor chamber 58, and the shaft 94 thereof extends into the impeller chamber 56 in order to support centrifugal suction fan rotor 98. The dust collection chamber 48 and the motor chamber 58 are separated by means of a filter and screen 102, and air which is forced into the dust collection chamber 48 by the impeller 98 eventually passes through the pores of the dust collection filter bag 50 and down into the motor chamber 58 through the filter 100 and screen 102. This air is useful in cooling the motor 96 and eventually is exhausted out of the vacuum cleaner housing 60 through the grill openings 76 on the lower end wall 68 of the housing section 62. The impeller chamber 56 is of conventional centrifugal fan type design and includes parallel sidewalls 88 and 104. The wall 104 (FIG. 3) is formed with a circular inlet opening 104a in coaxial alignment with the impeller shaft 94, and air entering into the impeller chamber between the walls 88 and 104 is centrifuged radially outwardly of the shaft 94 and discharged through the nozzle 54 into the removable collection bag 50 in the dust collection chamber 48 of the housing.

Air is supplied to the impeller chamber through a suction passage -108 leading to the nozzle structure 11. The passage 108 is formed by a wall 106 provided with a circular opening 106a in coaxial alignment with the impeller shaft. A removable plug or cap 110 is provided to normally close the opening 106a. However, if it is desired to use an external, flexible hose for the collection of dust, such as the hose 112 of FIG. 2, the cap 110 is removed and the hose 112 inserted in the opening 106a, as more fully described in the aforementioned United States patent.

In accordance with the present invention, the suction duct 108 terminates at its lower end in a generally cylindrical segmented section referred to by the reference numeral 1 16, which section is pivotally interconnected with the socketlike portion of the throat 22 of the nozzle structure 11. Relative pivotal movement between the body 12 and the nozzle structure 11 is thus permitted, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower end 116 of the suction duct 108 includes a lower portion 118 having an outer surface conforming in shape to a segment of a cylinder, and a similar upper wall portion 120 is provided. When the vacuum cleaner is in the operating position as shown in FIG. 3, the lower end of the suction passage 108 is in direct communication with the suction passage 24 in the nozzle structure 11 so that air and the collected material pass upwardly into the inner impeller chamber 56 and are discharged into the dust collection bag 50.

In accordance with the invention, the switch 46 includes an operator 46a which is adapted for contact by the activating lug 44 when prescribed relative pivotal movement between the body 12 and the nozzle structure 11 occurs. The switch is supported in a bracket or pocket 122 provided adjacent the lower end of the impeller chamber 56 and the operator 46a projects outwardly through an opening in a small, compartment end wall 124 at the lower end of the housing 62. When the housing 12 is pivoted from the operational position of FIGS. 1 and 3 to an upright or nonoperating, storage position of FIG. 2, the operator 46a of the switch is engaged by the radial face of the actuator lug 44 on the nozzle structure 11 and is moved from the on to the off position, as indicated in FIG. 4. The switch 46 is spring loaded to the on position and remains on whenever the body 12 of the vacuum cleaner is pivoted I downwardly from the upright position enough that the lug 44 on the floor nozzle section 11 remains out of contact with the switch operator 46a. Accordingly, after a prescribed degree of angular pivotal movement downwardly away from the position of FIG. 4, as soon as switch operator 46a moves out of contact with the lug 44 the spring in the switch biases the operator to the on" position and the motor is energized. After usage, the body 12 is pivoted upwardly from the operative range ofFIGS. l and 3 into an upstanding or storage position of FIGS. 2 and 4, and the switch operator 46a moves back into contact against the radial face of the lug 44, causing the switch operator to move from the on to the of position, shutting off the electrical power to the motor 96.

The vacuum cleaner is adapted to remain in an upstanding storage position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and for this purpose the spring biased lugs 36 are engageable with a lip 126, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, to maintain the body 12 in a substantially upright position shown. Engagement between the lugs and the lip 126 normally prevents counterclockwise pivotal movement downwardly away from the position of FIG. 4 unless ample force is exerted to overcome the biasing spring forces on the retaining lugs 36. Clockwise rotation of the body section 12 from the position of FIG. 4 is limited by engagement of the rearward edge 26a of the upper wall 26 with a forward surface portion 104a V of the wall 104 on the body 12, as best indicated on FIG. 4.

The engagement of stop surfaces 26a and 104a (FIG. 4) positively limits relative pivotal movement between the nozzle structure 11 and the body 12 in one direction in order to maintain the vacuum cleaner in the upright or storage position. Engagement between the latching lugs 36 and the lip 126 on the body 12 normally limits relative pivotal movement between the nozzle structure and body in an opposite direction. The holding forces between the lugs 36 and lip 126 are sufficiently strongto maintain the vacuum cleaner body 12 in the upright position unsupported when the floor nozzle structure 11 is resting on the floor and, in addition, is sufficient to maintain the normally closed switch 46 in the open or off position through engagement of the lug 44 with the switch operator 46a. The engagement between thelugs 36 and lip 126 is also of sufficient strength to support the nozzle structure 11 in a relative position, as shown in FIG. 4, when the vacuum cleaner is hung on a closet wall, or the like, with the nozzle structure 11 above the floor or other supporting surface. Because of the position of the center of gravity of the nozzle structure 11 with respect to the pivot axis A-A, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is hung up on a closet wall by the handle 13, for example, the forward edge of the nozzle structure would tend to pivot downwardly. The engagement forces between the lugs 36 and the lip 126 are sufficient to prevent this downward pivotal movement and, accordingly, the cleaner may be supported in this manner while the line cord 84 is plugged in without danger that the motor will run. The latch lugs 36 exert sufficient holding force to overcome the biasing force of the normally closed switch 46 in addition to the force of gravity on the nozzle 11, which gravity force tends to cause the nozzle to pivot downwardly enough to move the lug 44 away from the switch operator 46a causing an unwanted starting of the motor. This feature renders the vacuum cleaner 10 invaluable for quick touchup'cleaning jobs as the unit can be stored in a closet with cord plugged in, ready for use.

Because of the relatively strong holding engagement between the lugs 36 and lip 126, when the vacuum cleaner is supported on the. floor ready for use, it is necessary for the operator to hold the forward end portion of the nozzle 11 downward with the foot as the body 12 and handle 13 are pivoted rearwardly to the operational position to start the motor. Moreover, if the vacuum cleaner 10 is left unattended, while plugged in and in a floor-supported upright position, and the cleaner is knocked over by a child or animal, for example, the latching engagement between the lugs 36 and lip 126 is of sufficient strength to prevent relative pivotal movement between the body 12 and nozzle 11 sufficient to permit closing of the switch 46 and starting of the motor. The lugs 36 and lip 126 permit the vacuum cleaner 10 to be maintained in an off condition under situations wherein the relative masses and center of gravities of the body 12 and nozzle structurell would not otherwise be sufficient to prevent closing of the switch 46, such as when the cleaner is on an inclined surface or the body cannot be maintained in a completely upright position because of furniture or other obstructions. The nozzle structure 11 thus acts as a foot switch lever which is relatively large in comparison to the switch 46, yet the nozzle is small enough in size to get under low pieces of furniture, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, the motor 96 includes field core 128 (FIG. 3) having a pair of field windings 130 and 132 (FIG. 7) thereon electrically connected in series to provide for two different motor speeds. A switch 134 is mounted on the lower wall of housing 86 so that one or both of the field windings 130 or 132 may be selectively energized to run the motor at high or low speed. An internal light 136 is mounted in the lower end portion of the motor chamber 58 on a supporting bracket 138 so that light rays will pass through the lens portion 74 on the lower end wall 68 of the housing 60. As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, whenever the motor 96 is energized by the switch 46, the light 136 is likewise on for illuminating the area directly ahead of the cleaner. FIG. 7 shows a schematic wiring diagram for the vacuum cleaner and internal wiring 139 is provided in the housing to interconnect the motor field, motor armature, and switches with the line cord 84. Connections are preferably made with solderless connectors 140.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention provides for automatic operation of the motor and light when the floor nozzle structure 11 is pivoted downwardly by the foot or is held against the floor by the foot while the handle 13 is pivoted downwardly into the operative position out of the upright or storage position (FIG. 2). The motor 96 is operable to drive the impeller 98 at a low speed or high speed, depending upon the position of a selector switch 134.

The automatic switching action is extremely handy to the housewife. For example, if she is interrupted by the telephone or doorbell while vacuuming a rug, the handle 13 is moved to the upstanding position causing the motor to shut off automatically and the vacuum cleaner is left in the self-supporting, upstanding position with the cord still plugged in ready for immediate operation.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and it is therefore contemplated in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising floor engaging suction nozzle means, an elongated body means having a handle at the upper end, means pivotally interconnecting the lower end of said body means and said nozzle means for movement between an upright storage position of said body means and an operating position thereof, an electric motor-driven air impeller in said body means, a dust collection chamber defined in said body means, electric circuit means on said body means including a normally closed switch means for supplying electrical power to said drive motor of said air impeller, said switch means including a switch operator actuated for moving said switch to the off position in response to relative pivotal movement between said nozzle means and said body means to said storage position, releasable detent means engageable when said body is in said upright storage position for substantially maintaining the relative angular position between said body means and said nozzle means, in said upright storage position, said detent means having biasing means of sufficient strength for maintaining said upright storage position independent of whether said nozzle means is positioned on a supporting surface.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said switch means is mounted on said lower end of said body means and including actuator means on said nozzle means engageable to actuate said operator of said switch means between said on and off positions as said body means is moved between an upright position and rearwardly sloped position for operation of the cleaner.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said actuator means engages said switch operator when said body means is in said upright position to hold said switch means in an open condition.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2 wherein said releasable detent means acts between said body means and said suction nozzle means for normally maintaining said body means in said upright position.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said body means includes a housing having a light transmitting segment adjacent the lower end, lightmeans in said housing connected with said circuit means for illumination when said switch means is in said on position.

6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said suction nozzle structure includes an enlarged upper surface extending laterally with respect to the direction of elongation of said body means for receiving an operator's foot for holding said nozzle structure against movement as said body means is pivoted relative thereto to effect operation of said switch means.

7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4 wherein said detent means comprises lug means biased outwardly of the pivot axis of said means for pivotally interconnecting said body means and nozzle means for engagement with one of said means for limiting relative movement therebetween. 

1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising floor engaging suction nozzle means, an elongated body means having a handle at the upper end, means pivotally interconnecting the lower end of said body means and said nozzle means for movement between an upright storage position of said body means and an operating position thereof, an electric motor-driven air impeller in said body means, a dust collection chamber defined in said body means, electric circuit means on said body means including a normally closed switch means for supplying electrical power to said drive motor of said air impeller, said switch means including a switch operator actuated for moving said switch to the off position in response to relative pivotal movement between said nozzle means and said body means to said storage position, releasable detent means engageable when said body is in said upright storage position for substantially maintaining the relative angular position between said body means and said nozzle means, in said upright storage position, said detent means having biasing means of sufficient strength for maintaining said upright storage position independent of whether said nozzle means is positioned on a supporting surface.
 1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising floor engaging suction nozzle means, an elongated body means having a handle at the upper end, means pivotally interconnecting the lower end of said body means and said nozzle means for movement between an upright storage position of said body means and an operating position thereof, an electric motor-driven air impeller in said body means, a dust collection chamber defined in said body means, electric circuit means on said body means including a normally closed switch means for supplying electrical power to said drive motor of said air impeller, said switch means including a switch operator actuated for moving said switch to the off position in response to relative pivotal movement between said nozzle means and said body means to said storage position, releasable detent means engageable when said body is in said upright storage position for substantially maintaining the relative angular position between said body means and said nozzle means, in said upright storage position, said detent means having biasing means of sufficient strength for maintaining said upright storage position independent of whether said nozzle means is positioned on a supporting surface.
 2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said switch means is mounted on said lower end of said body means and including actuator means on said nozzle means engageable to actuate said operator of said switch means between said on and off positions as said body means is moved between an upright position and rearwardly sloped position for operation of the cleaner.
 3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said actuator means engages said switch operator when said body means is in said upright position to hold said switch means in an open condition.
 4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2 wherein said releasable detent means acts between said body means and said suction nozzle means for normally maintaining said body means in said upright position.
 5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said body means includes a housing having a light transmitting segment adjacent the lower end, lightmeans in said housing connected with said circuit means for illumination when said switch means is in said on position.
 6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said suction nozzle structure includes an enlarged upper surface extending laterally with respect to the direction of elongation of said body means for receiving an operator''s foot for holding said nozzle structure against movement as said body means is pivoted relative thereto to effect operation of said switch means. 